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Vegas 2007

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by bikerbear, Nov 5, 2008.

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  1. bikerbear

    bikerbear Tourist

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2008
    Messages:
    17
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    5

    My Trip Report

    Vegas 2007. 10.09.07- 19.09.07

    A bit of background before I begin. Some people might have me down as being a little tight with my money, I like to think of it as shrewd  I like a bargain and getting something for nothing much the same as anyone but im also prepared to pay for quality. We work long hours here owning a pub/small hotel so look forward to our holidays. Vegas I look at as being the active holiday of the year, we usually get away for a weeks beach type holiday to recharge the batteries so to speak.
    This was trip number 4 for us, the last 2 yrs trip reports can be seen here- http://las-vegas-hotels.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g45963-i10-k174674-Las_Vegas_Nevada.html and http://las-vegas-hotels.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g45963-i10-k174674-Las_Vegas_Nevada.html so we where hardly virgins.
    We also used a theme of not going to places we had been before if possible wether that be bars or food places. Obviously couldn’t count the casinos 

    This holiday if anything was over researched, we should have been in Vegas in June but things happening here between me and my credit card company meant we ended up in Jamaica instead. That was great but it isn’t Vegas as im sure you’ll understand.

    So, Monday 10th September arrives and we are off. Continental airlines from schipol Amsterdam to Houston, Houston to Vegas, due in around 1630.
    Someone asked months ago if continental where ok to which I had replied yes they where and I would use them again, must admit I was thinking about this when we checked in , thinking sods law says something’s going to go wrong now. Well sod sods law, not a hitch, including Houston immigration hall which I was dreading having been there a couple of times. We missed our connecting flight last year due to that hall but we breezed thru it this year.
    One small detail I haven’t mentioned yet, my wife. Without going into huge detail she has been having problems with the circulation in her legs to the extent where she goes into hospital next Monday to have the veins sorted. Her legs start aching after walking a while so having talked about it in reference to going to Vegas we decided we would just get more taxis etc to save her walking so far.
    So you can imagine her face as having passed thru immigration ive got her almost running the length of the airport to get to our connection- we made it so all came good but she didn’t seem too impressed .
    Into Vegas ontime, bags, several cigarettes (yes im one of those bad people that smokes) and a taxi later we are at the Wynn. Told taxi driver no tunnel so he asked if I wanted him to go up the strip? Told him this wasn’t our first trip and if he went up the strip he would be lucky if I paid him at all  he went the back way 

    The Wynn. What can I say. (loads actually ) We have walked thru the place before, lovely place but never imagined actually staying there. We work hard but aren’t rich by any means but id seen a special offer for 199 bucks a night so we decided to splash out a little. 4 nights @ the Wynn and 4 @ the Tuscany Suites. The theory being that even on a special the Wynn is more than id normally spend so the Tuscany was to offset the cost. Worked perfectly as it happens. We like to explore a little and having been to Vegas then im open to staying off strip or downtown. As long as its Vegas I don’t care .

    So, onwards. Checked in no problems. I mentioned today was our wedding anniversary just to see if it would make a difference. We got a view of the golf course and a view of the Encore which if on that half and side of the building would be hard to miss, I didn’t mind, was a lovely view. He also gave us $100 resort credit which came in handy later.
    When we got to the room there was a wee bit of anticipation going on when we opened the door, had the same last year at the Monte Carlo and it lets us down a bit for the “wow factor†the Wynn didn’t. It was a lovely room, best hotel room ive ever stayed in for sure. Everything was classy and stylish. The whole 4 days I kept mentioning that it was just the little touches that gave the whole place class, night light in the bathroom, tiny wee light shining on the light switches so can be seen in the dark, little things that added up to make a difference. Things like a wee plasma tv in the bathroom are just sheers extravagant in my book but I wasn’t complaining, was great for watching the news while shaving etc.
    So having been traveling 24 hours or so we are sorted, unpacked, showered and ready for a drink. Goes down to Parasol Up, it just happened to be the first bar we came across. Got seated ordered a long island for myself and some raspberry thingie for her drinks come, plus crisps and nuts, and the bill, $32 for 2 drinks, this concoction she was drinking was 20 bucks—welcome to the Wynn  As it happens even misery guts here didn’t mind and we even had another. Having said that I did get us out of there after 2 before we became too comfortable.
    Went for a walk outside to get some warmth going, what is it with the air-conditioning in these places- and judging by the amount of people with long sleeved tops on it wasn’t just us getting chilly inside. Plus us being tired didn’t help.
    Anyways we walked up to the Peppermill where we have eaten before but had never been to the lounge bit. Got a drink and sat by the fire, lovely. Sat and just chilled a bit and then decided maybe go eat something. We didn’t want anything fancy, just a burger or so, walked down and opposite the Wynn you’ve got Stripburger. Grabbed a green chillie burger which actually was very good and she had a chicken burger. Reasonable prices, food ok, we left quite happy. Back over to the Wynn, played a couple of penny slots as we pass thru the casino on the way to bed, 28 hours on the go is enough-bed!

    Tue 11th.
    Im always up early and today no exception. Was downstairs getting coffee having shaved and showered by 0530, at 43 im too excited to sleep first night in Vegas. Coffeeshop was just the Wynn equivalent of Starbucks. Coffee was ok, im a British tea drinker so don’t appreciate coffee like some others might, but I do like Starbucks cappuccino  took coffee upstairs to get the wife up with. Once all sorted its off to the buffet to sample their delights. Wasn’t let down by the food at all which was great but the overall presentation wasn’t anything to get too excited about. Nothing wrong with the place at all but having read so many glowing reports about the buffet I suppose our expectations where too high. Again nothing wrong with the food, or service. Had the same in the Bellagio when we did their buffet but just purely from a presentation point of view if put the Bellagio ahead.
    Anyways enjoyed our food, got stuffed and then headed for the pool. Very nice, also very hot outside so we knew we weren’t going to be there that long. Tried the Jacuzzi- lovely. Very relaxing couple of hours all in all.
    Room, get changed then off to explore a bit. Stroll up to Walgreens and get water and then on thru the Riviera and onto the Sahara. The original planning of this holiday was that a friend of ours would be with us at some stage and I intended us going and racing each other at the NASCAR café at the Sahara. Things have changed for him and he couldn’t join us but I still wanted to look at the café so we headed there. Registered for the Sahara’s players club and get 10 bucks free play. We sit and play 1 cent machines and mine is gone in minutes. 10 mins later the wife has won $205 which is great when it was for free and from a1 cent machine. She was on cloud 9 
    Strolls over to the big gift shop then down to Circus Circus to reserve a table at the steakhouse for sat evening.
    Over to Slots o Fun and fun was had. People talk about this place being dingy and dirty but at least people are laughing and seem to be enjoying themselves. I dropped 90 cents into a machine next to her as she was finishing and won $50 so we where quite chuffed. Saw a cheap show ticket place so got tickets for tonight’s “Stomp out Loudâ€. Saved $60 so quite happy there. Head back to the Wynn and the room to get freshened up and then decide to go eat something.
    For no particular reason we’ve never been to margaritaville so being in the mood for nachos decided to head there. Got a taxi as by now the wife’s walked more than enough and was starting to let me know about it. Anyways the Volcano nachos where great. We where there early but I can imagine the place would be even better later once the party crowd where in.
    Wander down to Paris for a look around, then to explore Planet Hollywood which was being heavily refurbished when we where there last year so wanted to see the changes. Also our show was there.
    Nice casino. Each to their own tastes, I liked it.
    Off to the show. To explain a little, the wife knew nothing about this show so had no idea what to expect. Id seen a fair amount of the original show on tv and liked it so I just asked her to have an open mind when we went in. Great show-would seriously recommend it to anyone, just good all-round entertainment. Wife totally enjoyed it which made it all the sweeter.
    Afterwards we wander up to O’sheas , we are peckish and want something simple, end up in burgerking as it had the smallest queue. Had a pretty crap burger, jump in a taxi and return home to the Wynn. Again play a few slots and head for bed. Get into room and as soon as I open door I can see someone’s been in the room, curtains drawn, tv is on, lights on dim. Goes in, we’ve had the bed turndown service-chocolates next to the bed, fresh towels. Very nice but I didn’t ask for it. Wasn’t complaining but obviously going to remember when it comes to settling up the bill.  I wasn’t complaining but wifey was-I got 1 more chocolate next to my side of the bed  Been a great day.

    Wed 12th.
    Nice start to the day, went down for coffee but wandered round the casino first, I love it when its so quiet, the odd person playing away, I just like soaking it up. Anyway played a couple of machines and ended up $100 up. Remember we aren’t any sort of rollers, the most I think ive ever put in 1 machine is $40 and that was this trip so off I to get her up with coffee and my riches 
    After several trips to Vegas weve never got as far as the Paris buffet so decided to make the effort. Taxi down there, seated within 5 mins. Very nice surroundings. Breakfast was what is just the normal vegas breakfast buffet. Had a crepe each, nice but mine was maybe a bit sickly for that time in the morning. Overall quite satisfied tho.
    Stroll over to the Bellagio as I wanted to see the model of the city center project which looks amazing-its going to be one hell of a place when its all done. What they’ve done there since we where there last june is stunning. Anyways strolled along to see the chocolate fountain-lovely. Wifeys eyes lit up when she saw it. Wandered into the casino looking for the slot “Denver duckâ€. Played it last year and it had the most entertaining bonus id ever seen. Anyways lost $20 trying to get the bonus. Wifey plays gets it and only wins a couple of bucks so we bin it-shoot the duck I say!  stroll back across and wander thru IP and then up to Casino Royal. Same as last year, register for their players club, $50 free slotplay , gone in less than 5 mins. Oh well its free  stayed and played a few machines for a while, this is a good atmosphere place which I noticed last year, I like it in there.
    To the Venetian to pick up the tickets I ordered online for Phantom. Stroll slowly back to the Wynn and go down to “Parasol Down†Had a drink there, very nice, relaxed for a bit. Obviously just as expensive as “Up†but ok, it’s the Wynn  Back up to the room to iron (yes me!) a shirt etc for our fancy meal this evening. Bit of a siesta follows. Up, shower dressed and taxi off downtown and we are on Freemont for 1400. went to El Bayo for drinks, had them last year and they were great but what was noticeable was the actual wee casino stinks, and I mean stinks. Couldn’t get out of there quick enough, football slushy in hand  the jungle juice 1 does it for me-had to abandon it last year otherwise we would have had to abandon going to our meal at hugos-this year I was determined to finish it, after all it was only “Andreas†we where going to for dinner  over the next few hours we strolled from casino to casino downtown, all the ones weve never been in. had a great few hours, won a few bucks here, lost a few there. Actually came out ahead over the afternoon. We where in MSS, el cortez, golden spike, las vegas club, binions, freemont, cant remember what order-jungle juice in hand remember  Finished my drink but was feeling it big time so ended up at Starbucks attached to the Nugget. Sitting outside chiiling out, talking to some woman about feeding sparrows, wife kicking me to not make an arse of myself, life is good . Coffee had the desired effect and I actually felt great as we wandered off and found Andreas. Very easy to find so in no time we are sat at our table.
    Right here it comes, this was the meal we were hoping was going to as good as if not better that Hugos which we went to last year and ive often described as the ultimate eating experience –well in my life anyways. Well simply put it wasn’t. nice meal, lovely service, nice surroundings but Hugos wins in every department hands down. Again everyone to their own but I know where we will be eating next year. When finished we get a taxi back to the wynn , full of food and drink but content. Play some slots for a couple of hours and head for bed, been a long day but another great 1.

    Thu 13th.
    Up early-0445. Did my usual thing, wander round casino, play the odd machine, get coffee, wake wifey. Wifey decided to be in a mood cause I didn’t take her with me at 5am. So you understand my wife could represent Holland in a sleeping competition but now she wants to get up at 0500- women, yet to be figured out?!?!?! 
    Anyways once up and sorted out we went a wandering. Strolled over to the forum shops which don’t open till 1000 so saved me a fortune  Wandered thru TI and the mirage and crossed over to go to Mcdonalds next to the entrance to harrahs. I don’t like Mcdonalds but they do a breakfast roll with sausage and egg that I love so we popped in a had a couple of them. Wifey wanted chips (frys) only to find it must be the only Mcdonalds in the world that doesn’t do them at that time. Got plenty of attitude instead tho!
    From there we got a taxi over to the Goldcoast, never been there and I was considering staying there at some point so wanted a wee look. Wandered round there then crossed to the Palms to explore then down to the Rio to buy tickets for Penn and Teller on Sunday. All 3 casinos seemed nice enough. Also spotted the Indian restaurant in the Rio so marked that down as a place to go before P&T on Sunday.
    Taxi back to the Wynn and headed for the sportsbook. I used to bet on the horses and dogs in what in the UK we call a bookies. I wanted to put some small bets on the baseball which I enjoy watching. Only wanted to put 10 bucks on a few teams to win so went and asked the girl for help, explaining id never bet in a sportsbook etc so didn’t know how it all worked. I couldn’t have found a less helpful woman to help me-it was almost as tho she didn’t want me to bet. I eventually got the right bit of paper and went to fill it in, went back to desk where 1 person is being served. I waited till he was done and stepped forward to be served, another guy basically pushes in front of me to which I tap him on shoulder and explain in the UK we call this a queue. The unhelpfull assistant says its ok and takes his sheet and does his bet??? Once gone I says to her that I don’t find that normal and she replies he takes priority cause his horse race was about to start! (with attitude remember) So I asks her that in theory I could stand there for hours while people go in front of me to place bets??? She shouts her boss who explains the same story about the horses. Fair enough but what about the other assistant doing the horse bet while the girl that’s reluctantly helped me processes me seeing as she (the other assistant) is sitting there doing nothing. Manageress saw my point when she realized there was 2 assistants working and started apologizing etc. I made my point anyways!
    Small siesta then occurred 
    Shower and then down for the dinner buffet which we had earned on our red cards. Already stated our opinion of the buffet but the food was great. Had a bit of everything and left there full to the brim. Having said that the meal was comped but I wouldn’t want to be paying over $30 for it, would feel a bit let down if I was.
    Wifey not happy with the dress she is wearing so has to go change-what did I tell you—women!!! 
    Anways we are off to TI for our first cirque de soleil (sp?) show. Mystere. The times weve been to Vegas weve just never got round to going to 1 so here we where. Id got the tickets cheap thru ticketmaster so was looking forward to the show. We wandered round the casino passing time and what was very noticeable was the lack of 1 cent machines. That’s usually all we play but were struggling to find them there so weren’t too impressed.
    Getting on towards show time we went down to the theatre. There was 4 people standing there, wifey says to me there not many people around. I tokk it to be cause it was still early. 10-15 mins later im looking at the poster advertising Mystere and on it it mentions what days its on-no mention of Thursday. I pulls tickets out and looks- um, in the UK this is what we call dropping a bullock, the tickets id bought where for Wednesday. I was shocked, anyone that knows me knows I don’t make mistakes like this but I did this time, cant deny it. Even now we are home and ive checked my notes etc I cant explain what went wrong there-must just be me getting old and senile! Oh well there always next year 
    So being at a loose end due to dummy here we strolled back to the Wynn. Went to play a few machines and have a few drinks. Nice few hours except for the American idiot who mouthed it off to my wife when she tried to sit at a machine that he was apparently keeping for his wife, I tapped him on shoulder and pointed out she was my wife and he might want to close his mouth to which he replied-oh foreigners, who invited you here anyways, your not wanted??? I then asked him if he wanted to dance then lets go to which he mumbled something and carried on playing his machine. He didn’t want to step outside so I was considering my options. Hook him off his stool was 1 , have a word with security was a second. In the end I thought it best to just walk away and have a drink, last thing I wanted was us booted out the Wynn first time there. Must be honest and say weve never encountered that attitude from anyone in America, people have always been so friendly and helpful. Yes the odd shop assistant or so (sportsbook!) having a bad day might give a bit of attitude but that’s the same here and every country id guess. Oh well, I wont lose any sleep over 1 idiot.
    Nice few hours. Walked round a corner of a bank of machines to find 3 or 4 people searching around on the ground for something. I looked around to see if there was anything obvious considering I had no idea what they where looking for , only to find a chip next to me. Picked it up and it’s a $500 chip so just held it out and said “someone looking for thisâ€? guy looked round and the expression on his face told me that’s exactly what they where looking for. He took it but it actually belonged to the guy on his hands and knees still scrambling about the floor. Obviously he couldn’t thank me enough. I was quite proud of myself to be honest, in a 30 min period id resisted temptation to rip the heart out of 1 guy and rip another guy off for 500 bucks. Must be going soft in my age-as well as senile!  Apart from the slight mishap with Mystere it was another great day.

    Fri 14th.
    Usual wander and coffee and awakening of the slumbering one. Wynn buffet for breakfast. I wouldn’t usually eat at the same place so many times but we had the resort credit and the 2 free buffets off of our red cards so seemed a waste not to use them up, who knows when we will ever have the same opportunity again. Plus the food was good. Went for a lie by the pool for a while but it was too hot to settle for any time. Returned to room to pack as today is our move to the Tuscany. I ran (well walked quickly) up to the flyaway indoor skydiving place-we did it last year and I wanted a sweatshirt. Of course they had none claiming that they only had the summer range and id need to try in the winter. I didn’t bother mentioning it was june last year I saw them etc, wasn’t worth getting steamed up about. Got back to room and wifey had done all the packing so went to check out. Was busy and had to wait 10 mins or so but they came round with glasses of lemonade for people having to wait-another nice touch. I dreaded the bill, not cause of the amount but cause this was the first time we have ever charged anything to the room, had comped meals etc so was waiting on some extra charge on the bill-didn’t happen, all was spot on so I was happy. Walked outside and got a taxi and off we went to the Tuscany.
    Arrived there around 1100. queue for checkin so wifey grabbed a seat and I did the checkin thing. Got charged the $10 early check in fee which I think is a complete con but I knew it up front so couldn’t say anything. Our designated room in the block next to the pool wasn’t ready but the same room in another block was so did we want that-yes, I didn’t really want to muck around with leaving cases etc, wanted to get settled in and carry on with the holiday. Given hindsight now it would have been better if we had took the original room, was next to the pool and casino where as we ended up a wee walk away. Wasn’t too far but wasn’t as handy- oh well some you win……. The room itself was great, they call it a suite , I call it a fairly big hotel room. What we tried hard not to do was make comparisons with the place we had just come from, not fair to do that as I don’t think Steve Wynn looks on the Tuscany as any sort of threat. If you want value for bucks then this place is great. 5-10 min walk from the strip, rooms big and clean, service was good-id recommend this place to anyone.
    Casino, loads of 1 cent machines , small but nice poker room, couple of places to eat and a couple of bars. Nice. 1 thing that I thought was a bit of a rip off, their players card wasn’t accepted by a lot of machines which just happened to be the more popular machines meaning no points on your card. They tried to tell me its was the manufactures fault but how does every other casino manage ?? wasn’t a real issue as we don’t gamble enough anyways to earn any points of any value but for others id guess it might be.
    Bit hungry , wifey wants nachos, walking past the Mexican restaurant we see nachos and a couple of dips sitting on a couples table. That will do so we go in, get seated and are looking for said nachos on the menu. Waitress comes and dumps nachos and dips on table-that was the complimentary nibbles to have before the meal. We laughed and felt compelled somehow into having a meal which we duly did-and very nice too. Not a fancy place but food was great and reasonable in price so we where happy. Headed for room for a wee siesta and freshen up for this evenings excitement.

    The next few hours were a bit of self indulgence, Megadeath at the house of blues. Pure hard rock/heavy metal. From the moment we awoke from siesta wifey started moaning, was subtle enough till we where there at the house of blues, stood in queue waiting to get tickets she goes off to the toilet, by the time she returns I have the tickets, seems she realized this was past the point of no return and moaning moved into lets say not so subtle comments. My argument was she never once said she didn’t want us to actually go so lets just enjoy. Didn’t get me much credit but she went anyways. We caught the last song of the first support band, didn’t hear enough to pass comment, whole of the 2nd support band where some of the music was good but all of the singing was terrible. Megadeath themselves where good, a lot of the songs where new ones which I hadn’t heard but some golden oldies in there too. We didn’t stay for it all tho, I thought fair enough, id seen enough and wifey was going thru torture what with the music and her legs were starting to ache it was time to go. I enjoyed it tho, wifey might not agree on this 1 but at least she humoured me  Came out of there and strolled thru to the luxor for a poke around and get a taxi back to the Tuscany. Played on the machines for a while, grabbed a pizza to take back to the room and retired for the night. Early start tomorrow. Been another good day, moving hotels , no hitches/problems , settled in nicely.

    Sat 15th.
    Up at 0330 and in a taxi heading for the Crown and Anchor, an English style pub which shows football from the Uk, we are there to see Rangers play Hearts. When we walk in the place its busy, theres an English game on so ok, im not the only idiot  Orders a beer and a drink for wifey to be told they cant sell spirits over the bar, only to people sitting in the eating area or upstairs to which I answer that we are going upstairs. Still no, the waitress has to bring the drink. 25 minutes after walking in wifey gets the drink. Owning a bar ourselves we were bemused by all this. This place wouldn’t become a regular of mine that’s for sure, it was ok to watch our game but that was it. Anyways the game carried on and I managed to get several pints of guiness down myself which wasn’t helped by my team being gubbed. That’s well beaten to the Americans reading this. During the game there was a bit of hassle from some of the guys downstairs trying to get a reaction out of our lads, a couple did react but it was sorted quickly enough. Game finishes and im drunk, got worse when we got outside in the fresh air but we were quite happy. Taxi back to the Tuscany and went an played a couple slots in our drunken state then off to bed to sleep the whole experience off.
    The rest of the morning and afternoon was spent sleeping, and just generally being lazy. Start of the evening was our reservation at the steak house in Circus Circus. Taxi there, a wander around the casino etc, saw more kids there than the whole trip put together, personally I think its great they are all in 1 place just as long as im not in that same place-im not a child person at all  Steakhouse was wonderful, it rates up there with the great meals weve had in our time. The place itself was nice, service was fantastic and food great, what more can anyone ask. Really enjoyed our meal there, will go there again that’s for sure. Got a taxi to the Venetian as it was almost showtime- we are seeing the Phantom. This was a sort of follow the fashion thing when in Vegas, its not the kind of show we would go and see usually (megadeath anyone) but we are open to most things so off we went. Well what a great show, enjoyed it from start to finish. Sound, lighting, production, everything was brilliant.
    So came out of the theatre quite impressed, went and sat outside and people watched for a while. Walked down as far as the Flamingo and got a taxi back to the Tuscany from there. Couple of slots and then bed, too tired to even have a late pizza  Great day again.

    Sun 16th.
    Since being at the Tuscany ive been keeping an eye on the poker room. Im a (or was) a virgin for sitting at a real table, ive played online for play money but this is a wee bit different. Anyways spoke to the bloke running the poker room at that time. He was friendly and encouraging so caution to the wind I sat down to play. This was just after 0600. Held my own till we had to stop for their 1000 tournament playing 3/6 hold em. I ended up losing around $30 which for over 3.5 hours playing for my first time I was quite happy about. At points I was 50 bucks up so I was more than happy to be honest. The guys I was playing with where locals and nice guys. I played in their tournament but only lasted 45 mins. To be honest all the excitement went to my head and I played like an idiot. Plus it was a no limits thing so was my first time at that too so I was slightly out my depth. Had fun tho and lost the virginity thing-ill be back as the saying goes 
    One of those rare occurrences that only happen when the moon is a nice shade of blue happened whilst I played poker-wifey got up herself!! Im pretty sure she just came to check I wasn’t losing the family silver and once reassured I hadn’t then departed for bed again, told you she likes her sleep. 
    After the poker I got wifey and we decided to go round to ellis island for breakfast. Wandered round onto Kovel and we hear a screeching of tyres, look up to watch this car skid down the road and straight into the back of a taxi. There was a group of people next to us who saw it too, they said they saw the guy talking on his mobile-he might pay more attention next time as by the looks of things his car was totaled. Them taxis are tough tho, as there wasn’t much damage on it. Police turned up a few minutes later and the man from CHIPS took control of the situation. We left. We walked past 5 mins later as it happens as Ellis Island had a huge queue waiting to eat so we decided to try Marylins in the Tuscany, the police had all under control. Marylins as it happens was a good choice, food was fine, reasonable prices, quite happy.
    Sunday is traditionally a lazy day so who are we to try and change that-siesta time.
    Rise, shower and get sorted, bar for a drink and get a taxi to the Rio. We are going for an Indian meal at Gaylords before going and seeing Penn & Teller. We had no booking but that didn’t matter, it wasn’t busy. Curry is 1 of my favorite meals, being Scottish it almost our 2nd national dish-go figure that 1 out. Anyways I like my curry but the currys in America are a long way behind what we get in Europe, sorry and all that but that’s several times in several places in America and always the same, a bit bland. Well that describes the meal basically, wasn’t horrible or so, just bland. What didn’t help was me and wifey had a bit of a domestic starting to break out between us so the meal didn’t stand a chance really. Paid the bill and walked out the place, theres a bar just as you come out so I headed there, ordered a long island, turned to ask her what she wanted and she wasn’t there. I presumed she had gone to the toilet so I just sat and chilled. When drink was done im thinking shes obviously gone for a wander rather than argue with me so I had a stroll round thinking if worst comes to worst she will be by the entrance to P & T come showtime. Well for the next hour or so I walked round looking for her and once the show had started decided she must have left for the Tuscany. Jumps in a taxi and goes there myself-sure enough there she is in bed. Well obviously I wont go into detail here but we talked and sorted our problem and made up. She decided to stay in bed while I went down to the casino, played some slots, actually came out a bit ahead and then binned it and went to bed myself.

    Mon 17th.
    The msg board I use to review things for our Vegas trips, people on it keep mentioning the sidewalk café at Ballys so being just up the road we decided to try it for breakfast. It was fine but nothing special, to be honest its was just very plain and simple. Food was ok which is what counts I suppose.
    From there we took a very very slow stroll down to the Tropicana as we are going to see “Bodiesâ€. Wifey likes all that kind of thing so fair enough, I got megadeath, she got bits of dissected bodies . To be honest the exhibition was brilliant, very very interesting.
    Left there and walked back up strip, stopped at the ticket booth at the Hawaiian place, got cheap tickets for, um, Penn & Teller, a couple of presents etc and strolled back to Tuscany very slowly, it was very hot and her legs where aching. Time for a nap. When we arise again and freshen up we go try the Tailgate café at the back of the casino. What a great place, there was American football on and some beer promotion team where in encouraging you to drink millers etc, no thanks ill stick to my Guinness. We had the wings and a mixed chicken platter, it was fantastic, could have stayed there a lot longer but it was time to go to the Rio (again) for the show. At the ticket desk I had to change my coupons for real tickets. Big guy who was working mentioned it gets a little chilly inside so made a comment about the temperature when we saw mama mia last year and how certain parts of my anatomy where ready to fall off. This seemed to make the guy laugh so he decided to upgrade our seats, we ended up seated in what id call quite good seats. Ive waited years to see P&T. Saw them on UK tv when they where just starting out and have seen clips of them over the years. Wanted to see them last year but didn’t get a chance. Also had to take the chance of wifey not understanding the humour etc. she is dutch and English is almost second nature to her but add an American accent and a sense of humour she doesn’t know there was always a chance she would hate the show. Well she didn’t, me neither, fantastic show, made us laugh, stunned us, baffled us, all the things it should do. And to top it all I got my picture took with both of them afterwards, bloody hell is he big 
    Taxi back to the Tuscany and our last gamble session where over the next couple of hours we played away and basically lost virtually nothing. Got a couple of burgers and headed for the room, long day coming up getting home later.

    Tue 18th.
    Depression sets in as a soon as I wake up, hate going home day, post vegas depression setting in and I haven’t bloody left yet!!! Pack, shower and taxi to airport with plenty of time to spare. Turns out planes here and there where late so they moved us from continental to Northwest and flew is thru Memphis instead of Houston. We where quite happy with that as we left vegas 30 mins earlier and got into Amsterdam and hour earlier. Added bonus as we found out was Memphis has 2 places in the airport you can have a smoke. So I managed 4 before wifeys starts making comments , oh and a quick guiness. Flights went without problems and we arrived in Amsterdam 1.5 hours ahead of schedule. Drive back to our wee town for one of the best bits of the holiday-pick up our wee doggie. He is fine, they’ve had no problems with him, he seems to have been eating so alls well. Then to our pub where theres been no problems at all so alls well there too. Unpack and then sleep.

    To summarise. Another fantastic holiday in Vegas, ive already started my notes for Vegas 2008, we will be there. Played more slots than ever before purely cause we had a bit more money with us than normal, I had struck lucky with the euro against the dollar and still had dollars left from being in Jamaica earlier this year. As it happened it didn’t make any difference as we both seemed to win enough to keep us going. Yes over the week we lost but had a weeks entertainment out of it. And I say lost , a few hundred bucks, I don’t know anywhere else on earth you could buy that entertainment so cheaply.
    Hugos is better than Andreas, Monopoly machines have the most entertaining bonus either of us have seen, black and white sevens machines seem to like me 
    So there you go, tat was 2007, heres to 2008.


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    D

    1700-10
     
  2. mikenhe

    mikenhe VIP Whale

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    excellent - sounds like you have a lot of fun - except for the domestic :peace:

    How was the Crown & anchor atmosphere wise for the game? I'm tempted to go there in a couple of weeks for a game but I can;t stand being surrounded by sky generation wankers.
     
  3. bikerbear

    bikerbear Tourist

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    Well if you want the real truth-i wouldnt recommend the C&A to anyone. You cant order spirits over the bar-they have to be brought to you an the wife had to wait 20 minutes before the waitress remembered we were upstairs. There lies another problem, we were there to see Rangers and theres a cover charge which turned out some of was going to the local Celtic supporters club so our lot have now moved.
    We also had a wee bit bother with some clowns downstairs who were trying to wind us up, and 1 of our lot took the bait so there was a wee bit of a rammy.
    Oh an we got gubbed 4-2 so basicaly ive not a good word to say about the place.

    In the interests of fairness, Manure were playing, Arsenal were playing and Wales playing rugby came on later and the place was quite busy-at 0430 remember. They all seemed to be quite happy so maybe for you it would be worth it.
    They do UK type food so i believe too.

    Blondies in the Miracle Mile next to Planet Hollwood has English football with no need for taxis :peace:

    D

    1700-10
     
  4. mikenhe

    mikenhe VIP Whale

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    I've seen setanta at blondies - but I hate the place.. I may drink at the mexican place opposite and watch the blondies screen.


    I guess it depends what channel my game is on.. if its Fox then I may settle down at the El Cortez to watch it!!
     
  5. gotavegasjones

    gotavegasjones VIP Whale

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    Thanks for posting here.

    later, GVJ
     
  6. texas_aggie_girl_93

    texas_aggie_girl_93 VIP Whale

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    Yet another nice one! Thanks for posting.
     
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